Code of Practice

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), FCTA – Building Careers has agreed to operate within the Principles and Standards of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). This includes a commitment to recognise the training qualifications issued by other Registered Training Organisations.

Access and equity policy

FCTA – Building Careers has a policy of equal access to training for all people seeking

to enhance their knowledge and skills. In particular, FCTA – Building Careers encourages the participation of women, indigenous people, people with physical or learning disabilities and those who live in remote areas.

All students will be recruited in an ethical and responsible manner and consistent with the requirements of the curriculum or National Training Package. Our Access and Equity Policy ensures that student selection decisions comply with Equal Opportunity Legislation.

Qualified staff will assess the extent to which the applicant is likely to achieve the stated competency standards and outcomes of the course, based on their qualifications and experience.

Anti-discrimination policy

The FCTA – Building Careers Anti-Discrimination Policy details our commitment to providing a workplace and study environment which does not discriminate against people based on ethnicity, gender, sexual preferences or disability.

Best Practice Standards

FCTA – Building Careers will ensure it is up to date with Best Practice Standards by encouraging staff to attend industry network meetings and to seek and accept feedback via these networks. Through regular staff meetings, FCTA – Building Careers will ensure it is constantly reviewing literature, technology and methods in order to keep abreast of developments relevant to both the services provided by FCTA – Building Careers and the industries of its clients.

FCTA regularly engage with relevant industry representatives to evaluate our training and assessment services. This ensures that our students hold the required skills and knowledge to the standard of performance required in the workplace.

FCTA is a registered training organisation under the Training and Skills Development Act (2008). We ensure that at all times our operations comply with the legislation and the AQTF standards.

Client Service

We have sound management practices to ensure effective client service. In particular we have client service standards to ensure timely issue of student assessment results and qualifications. These will be appropriate to competence achieved and issued in accordance with national guidelines.

Our quality focus includes Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, a fair and equitable Refund Policy, a Grievance and Appeal Policy, an Access and Equity Policy and student welfare and guidance services. Where necessary, arrangements will be made for those clients requiring literacy and/or numeracy support programs. We will take every opportunity to ensure this information is disseminated, understood and valued by personnel and clients.

Our student information will ensure that all fees and charges are known to students before enrolment, that course content and assessment procedures are explained and that vocational outcomes are outlined.

Conduct of training and assessment in a variety of locations.

FCTA – Building Careers will ensure that all training venues used comply with Occupational Health and Safety standards where possible. In remote locations, FCTA – Building Careers will do its utmost to ensure a suitable training environment for students.

Disability policy

The goal of this policy is to maximise access to, participation in and outcomes from Vocational education and training for people with a disability. FCTA – Building Careers is committed to the concept of inclusive practice.

Documented Policies and Procedures governing quality

FCTA – Building Careers has documented policies and procedures covering all aspects of the work it conducts and the administration of its operations. Copies of our policies are freely available to all clients and will be provided upon enrolment.

External Review of FCTA – Building Careers operations

FCTA – Building Careers is subject to external auditing of its operations. FCTA will provide service that complies with all the quality requirements pertaining to the status of a Registered Training Organisation.

FCTA – Building Careers has agreed to participate in external monitoring and audit processes required by the state training agency. This covers random quality audits, audits following complaint and audits for the purposes of re-registration.

Fees and Charges

Before commencement of training, all clients will be fully informed of all the costs of the services provided by FCTA – Building Careers. FCTA has a refund policy that ensures that clients are provided with refunds under specific circumstances. Certificates & Statements of Attainment will not be issued if fees are outstanding.

Grievance Procedures

FCTA – Building Careers has grievance procedures in place for clients who wish to lodge a complaint in regard to any of the services or operations. We provide numerous feedback and appeal mechanisms for clients

Legislative Requirements

FCTA – Building Careers will meet all legislative requirements of State and Federal Government. In particular, Workplace Health and Safety, Workplace Relations, and

Vocational Placement Standards will be met at all times.

Literacy and Numeracy Policy

FCTA – Building Careers has a policy that supports people who experience problems with literacy and numeracy. FCTA – Building Careers strives to provide resources that will assist those people in overcoming their literacy and numeracy challenges.

Management and Administration

FCTA – Building Careers has policies and management strategies, which ensure sound financial and administrative practices. Management guarantees the organisation’s sound financial position and safeguards student fees until used for training/assessment. We have a Refund Policy, which is fair and equitable. Student records are managed securely and confidentially and are available for student perusal on request. FCTA – Building Careers has adequate insurance policies.

Marketing and Advertising

FCTA – Building Careers markets our vocational education and training products with integrity, accuracy and professionalism, avoiding vague and ambiguous statements. In the provision of information, no false or misleading comparisons are drawn with any other training organisation or training product.

Our Marketing and Advertising Policy is a guide to ensure FCTA only markets and advertises its services in an honest and ethical manner.

Privacy

FCTA – Building Careers will comply with the ten national privacy principles in the handling of personal information of students.

Collection – FCTA – Building Careers will collect only the information necessary for one or more of its functions. The individual will be told the purposes for which the information is collected.

Use and disclosure – Personal information will not be used or disclosed for a secondary purpose unless the individual has consented or a prescribed exception applies.

Data quality – FCTA – Building Careers will take all reasonable steps to make sure that the personal information it collects uses or discloses is accurate, complete and up to date.

Data Security – FCTA – Building Careers will take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

Openness – FCTA – Building Careers will document how they manage personal information and when asked by an individual, will explain the information it holds, for what purpose and how it collects, holds, uses and discloses the information.

Access and correction – The individual will be given access to the information held except to the extent that prescribed exceptions apply. FCTA – Building Careers will correct and up date information errors described by the individual.

Unique Identifiers – Commonwealth Government identifiers (eg Medicare number or tax file number) will only be used for the purposes for which they were issued. FCTA – Building Careers will not assign unique identifiers except where it is necessary to carry out its functions efficiently.

Anonymity – Wherever possible, FCTA – Building Careers will provide the opportunity for the individual to interact with them without identifying themselves.

Transborder Data Flows – The individual’s privacy protections apply to the transfer of personal information out of Australia.

Sensitive Information – FCTA – Building Careers will seek the consent of the individual when collecting sensitive information about the individual such as health information, or information about the individual’s racial or ethnic background, or criminal record

Quality Management Focus

FCTA – Building Careers has a commitment to providing a quality service and a focus on continuous improvement. We value feedback from students, staff and employers for incorporation into future programs.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy

The objective of FCTA – Building Careers’ RPL Policy is to ensure that an individual’s prior learning achieved through formal and informal training, work experience or other life experience is appropriately recognised.

Records Management

FCTA – Building Careers ensures that its record keeping procedures comply with the quality standards. All client records are confidential.

FCTA – Building Careers recording system ensures permanent backup of documentation to ensure security of client documents. Clients will have access to their records at any stage.

Recruitment policy

FCTA – Building Careers’ Recruitment Policy details our commitment to the concept of equal employment opportunity and selection of staff based on merit. All FCTA staff and Sub-contract employees will be fully qualified as trainers and assessors and highly experienced in their field of training.

Refund policy

Our refund policy provides clients with a written guarantee concerning refunds of fees under certain circumstances.

Sanctions

FCTA – Building Careers will honour all guarantees outlined in this Code of Practice.

We understand that if we do not meet the obligations of this Code or supporting regulatory requirements, we may have our registration as a Registered Training Organisation withdrawn.

FCTA – Building Careers is committed to providing its clients with high quality service. This commitment is evident in the policies and procedures FCTA has in place. We aim to provide a training service that is centred on the needs of our students and their employers.

Being a Registered Training Organisation means that we have met the quality and are able to offer training and assessment services for nationally recognised qualifications. FCTA – Building Careers, in conjunction with clients and other stakeholders, conducts regular internal reviews of its operations in order to maintain a high quality training organisation.

Student Welfare Services

FCTA – Building Careers will provide counselling and support to clients experiencing difficulties with studies. In circumstances where clients require specialised assistance outside the expertise of FCTA staff, we shall provide referral to agencies that can support those clients’ needs.

Training and Assessment Standards

FCTA – Building Careers has personnel with appropriate qualifications and experience to deliver the training and facilitate the assessment relevant to the training products offered. Assessment will meet the National Assessment Principles (including Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer.) Adequate facilities, equipment and training materials will be utilised to ensure the learning environment is conducive to the success of the students.

Student Referral Mechanisms – Literacy and Numeracy

FCTA – Building Careers will provide, where necessary, access to agencies who specialise in literacy and numeracy skills. Those students who require these services will be assisted by FCTA – Building Careers to ensure they receive the support and assistance they require.

Timelines for issue of qualifications and results

Certificates & Statements of Attainment will not be issued if fees are outstanding.

FCTA – Building Careers will provide clients with the results of their assessment within 21 days of the completion of their program unless an appeal against assessment has been lodged. Qualifications will be issued within 21 days of the issue of their results unless an appeal against assessment has been lodged.

Appeals lodged against assessments must be made within 14 days of receiving the assessment results. FCTA – Building Careers staff will examine these appeals and a result of the appeal will be provided to the client within 14 days of the day of the lodgement of the appeal.

Laws and Legislation

FCTA – Building Careers identifies and complies with relevant State or Territory laws including State/Territory legislation where applicable.

The acts relevant to the operation of FCTA are:

Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 – Occupational Health and Safety and workplace harassment, victimization and bullying is also found in the act.